THIS IS NOT FOR FLAME. THIS IS NOT FOR HATE. I am not a Racist. I'm simply stating facts on an unbiased opinion.

 

Slavery. I think slavery was a good aspect of history that contributed to our nation. In the beginning, our founding fathers couldn't work for themselves because they were "Gentlemen". They were really lazy and didn't want to do any work besides look for Gold. The economy was terrible for our founding fathers, and without slavery, they would have never prospered. Indian slaves were a huge export in the first colonies of America. They also helped the colonists to farm, but most of them died off due to swampy areas and Malaria killing them.

Africans. African slaves were chosen, not because they were black, but more so the fact of them being immune to the hot sun, Malaria, and they already knew how to farm rice. 

 

Slavery was a huge economic benefit for the colonists. It NEVER started off as racism. It started off to help exports and other economical benefits. People didn't know what to call them. Indentured servants, or Slaves. Over time, the Africans that were imported to North America's rights were taken away and they were basically property. This led to the White people thinking they were better than the Africans, and racism developing.

 

Basically, I think Slavery was great for early America economically, but terrible morally.

 

I want to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please refrain from posting if you'll only say "Slavery was bad. You're a racist gtfo" or anything somewhat similar to that. I do NOT want to hear any opinions that contribute nothing to this discussion. 

 

Edited September 6, 201312 yr by Occazn

Well of course slavery contributed to the economic growth of the country. The goods that came from the work being done (tobacco, cotton, etc.) were very influential to establishing U.S.A. as a serious worldwide trader.

However, the work being done by the African-American slaves could have just as easily have been done by others, but instead, for pay. (or bonds at that time) That would mean that your average Joe (the worker) would have got a cut of the profit gained while the old white guy living in the mansion would have got a relatively small profit reduction.

 

You could make the argument that there wouldn't be enough people to work these plantations/farms if slaves had not been captured and dragged into our country, but simple economics can dispute that.

Wherever there is a vast vacancy in employment, people will naturally flock to that area. For example, say that China's economy was failing during the early 19th century. Naturally, part of the Chinese population would find a way to get to America, thus filling any vacancies within the job market. (supply & demand)

 

Returning to the main question, I believe that slavery was one of many ways to fill the vacancies of mass farming/plantation jobs, but could have easily been filled by anything/anyone else.

The way it turned out was in fact influential to the core development for the simple fact that it kick-started the economy, making us one of the largest importers/exporters during the time period.

In terms of morals, it was terrible.

 

As an economist, I can't say that slavery was a bad thing, slavery brought masses of new products to the shores of Great Britain. I mean, that's if we're talking about the old slavery, getting sugar from Jamaica, spices from India? The money that this produced for both GB and the enslaved countries, is insane. Thinking on the one side, the people within the enslaved countries would be working and creating wealth, while staying alive. While the countries would be benefiting from the infrastructure which GB is putting into the country, allowing them to make their own money in the future. This is a win win situation. 

 

The new products coming into GB would be awesome, they would make the rich people who can afford them feel great, while the empire of GB would be greatly admired throughout the country. 

 

I don't real with moral issues, because obviously, some of the conditions were terrible, but some people would have been dead otherwise. We don't actually know what their living conditions were truly like. 

 

You've got to remember, we're all slaves to capitalism anyway, so what's the difference? Times change and so do norms and values. 

 

I think this goes without being said. Slavery is bad, and the reason they did it was for economic gains. What needs to be discussed?

I think this goes without being said. Slavery is bad, and the reason they did it was for economic gains. What needs to be discussed?

I want to hear your thoughts on whether it was good or bad. I want to hear your arguments regarding why it was good/bad.

Want to clear up some false things stated in this thread

 

1) Native americans fell to small pox, not malaria

 

2) We enslaved africans because they didn't die from small pox and we didn't have to take villages to get them.

 

3) The jobs could not be filled by americans seeing how there was plenty of work in the north. The south continuously tried to get european indentured servants to go to the south but nobody was stupid enough to go live in a swampy mosquito filled hell hole when they could easily go work for a farm in Pennsylvania. So despite the vast vacancy and even farmers attempts to advertise working in the south to the europeans they were still stuck with short term native americans until a boat full of africans happened to wash up in the carolinas. (The ship was meant for Jamaica, but a storm made them veer off course. Americans basically said "what the heck" and tried them out)

 

4) Slavery was well established before our founding fathers started their work. Most lived in the north and actually didn't have slaves. (If they had slaves then the south would of known they would have been ok with slavery, thus the south wouldn't have resisted joining the revolution).

 

5) Most of our founding fathers weren't there for gold, but rather for a name for them self and a role in a new country. Now there were plenty of ( and thats an understatement) men that were here to get rich, but our founding fathers weren't one of them.

Interesting thought process you but you clearly tackled this discussion wrong Occazn. From a moral stand point slavery is wrong and nobody wants to say it's worth it because that would make them an asshole even though they will exploit people through out their lives.

Obviously it was good economically and bad morally. If you think slavery was beneficial and 'worthwhile' overall, then I would consider you to have the same mentality as Hitler - doing terrible things for the 'greater good'. 

You are typing like it was a good thing lol.

It happened so thats that.

 

In the beginning, our founding fathers couldn't work for themselves because they were "Gentlemen".

 

 

Take a look at what Benjamin Franklin used to do over at the Hellfire Club, not exactly a bunch of swell guys...

Agree with previous posts!

slavery was horrible =(